Pipe fitting



April 28, 1942- F. J. WILKINSON 2,281,178,

PIPE FITTING Filed June 29, 1938 2 Sheets--Shee'tI 1 fvllllfl//\ W -BJ'WM Uk April 28, 1942- F. J. WILKINSON 2,281,178

PIPE FITTING lFiled June 29, 193s 2 sheets-sheet 2 53" @VW J2 v Patented Apr. 28, 1942 UNETEB STATES PATENT @FFME PIPE FITTING Farley J. Wilkinson, Homewood, Ill.

Application .lune 29, 1938, Serial No. 216,503

1 Claim.

This invention relates to pipe fittings and more particularly to pipe iittings for heating systems, and its chief object is to provide means for deflecting water from a main pipe to a lateral one by adjustable means, so that the amount of water deflected from the mainrpipe may be adjustably predetermined.

A major unsatisfactory result of radiators is that they do not heat uniformly due to the fact that the piping system is not properly balanced, or in other words, because of the improper distribution of the water which flows to the several radiators.

The heat output of a standard cast iron radiator or other type of convector when supplied with hot Water is dependent upon two factors: temperature of air surrounding the radiator and the mean temperature of the water in the radiator. The mean temperature of the water in the radiator will be dependent on two factors: first, the

entering temperature and, second, the rate oi iiow of water through the radiator.

In designing hot water heating systems of the gravity type, a comprehensive range of pipe sizes are available. Accordingly, the sizes of the pipe in the supply and the return mains may be relatively disproportionate in attempting to effect the proper flow of water to and from the several radiators. It is obvious, as experience has shown, that such a relative difference in the sizes of piping is not wholly satisfactory, although the wide range of available pipe sizes does produce a reasonably satisfactory system. These pipe sizes range from one-half inch to three inches in diameter for normal residential purposes.

Obviously, in gravity systems the velocity of the water flow is low and pipes must be relatively large to provide a sufficient volume of water. Also in these gravity systems it is customary to use two main pipes, one to carry a supply of hot water to the several radiators, and

one to carry the return to the boiler after passing through the radiators.

While my invention may be used in connection with the gravity system it is designed primarily for use with a forced system. A forced system requires pumps, operated electrically or otherwise, usually of the centrifugal type. The purpose of the pump is to force or speed up the circulation of the hot water through the heating system. This positive force makes it no longer necessary to use a large size, or rather the relative sizes of piping, as in gravity type. Experience, however, has shown that unless considerable means are used to balance or equalize the there are two two inch main pipes it is common to use valves of one-half or three-quarter inches. Consequently it is necessary in either gravity as well as in forced systems to build up resistance at a number of points in the heating system so as to provide adequate distribution or else all radiators will not be supplied with a sufficient quantity of hot water.

There are two general plans for piping of forced systems, both approved by the American Society of Heating & Ventilating Engineersl The rst is a regular two pipe system, similar to the gravity system except that relatively smaller pipes are used. One pipe serves as the main flow from the boiler and the other pipe returns the water from the radiators. This is not shown in the drawings since it is believed to be unnecessary. The second is a one pipe system from which the supply branch to the radiators is taken with the return branch connected in the same main return pipe. This is illustrated in Figure 1, and while in the drawings the return valve is located at a distance, viz., about the length of the radiator from the valve which deflects the water from the main pipe to the radiator, it is obviously possible to have one valve iitting provided with an opening for delecting the water to the radiator and the same valve iitting having also an opening for the return pipe from the radiator. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the one pipe as distinguished from the two pipe system is the more economical style of piping to install.

But irrespective of whether the gravity `or forced system is used, and whether or not the one z pipe or two pipe system is desired, it is necessary or desirable that some means be provided to divert a portion of the water from the main pipe to the radiators. I am familiar with a number of devices and fittings designed to accomplish these results, but with reference to all the present fittings the area of. the port which deflects the water remains constant and this is a serious defect since the radiator near the boiler may be supplied with the hottest water, and also the radiator may be smaller in size and not actually require all the water supplied it. Furthermore, these iittings heretofore available retard the flow of water to an unnecessary degree and thus place an additional burden on the pump and motor. Other variables mitigate against the desirability of a constant volume of Water, such as, the number of iittings, turns and ofi-sets in the branch pipes, length of the branch pipes, distance of the radiator from the boiler, etc. Then also, with only two sizes of valves available with which to supply perhaps eighty per cent of the radiators on most jobs, it becomes apparent that with a fixed area port in the branch supply pipe the most eiiicient results are not obtained. By means of my invention I control adjustably the volume of water to be supplied to each radiator at the point of leaving the main pipe. My adjustable deflector serves at least two purposes, iirst that of deecting water to the branch pipe, and second, a variable port area which may be enlarged sufciently to greatly increase the velocity of ow of Water through the branch pipe and thus meeting the requirements of radiators in less favored locations.

The aforesaid and other objects of my invention will be more apparent by an inspection of the drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a portion of a heating system including a radiator provided with my improved deflector fitting;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View of said fitting;

Figure 3 is a transverse section of said iitting taken on the lines 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an end view of the adjustment screw taken on the lines 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal view of a modiiied fitting partly in cross-section; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of said iitting teken on the lines 6-5 of Figure 5.

Similar reference characters are applied to the several views of the same parts in the various iigures, in which I is the main supply pipe, 2 my deflector fitting as a unit, 3 the lateral supply pipe to the radiator, 4 the radiator, 5 the lateral return pipe from the radiator, E the fitting connecting the return pipe to the main pipe, I is the deflector arm shown in Figure 2 in closed posi tion or in a position whereby water would not be shunted to the radiator, and shown in the dotted line of Figure 2 in partially open condition, said deflector arm being journaled on lthe bolt 8, the position of the deflector arm being fixed by means of the set screw 9 and optionally may be further fixed by means of a second set screw I0, the opposite end of said set screw II adapted to be pressed tightly against the rounded portion of the deflector arm I2 by means of the nut I3 holding said set screw III snugly in place by means of said nut I3 pressing the packing III against the top of the fitting I5. The bolt 8 is adjustable, having a nut I6 at one end thereof and having another nut I'I at the other end. The bolt head II has graduated markings for turning the bolt 8 and thus changing the position of the deflector arm I from a closed position as shown in the full lines in Figure 2, to the partially open position shown in the dotted lines in Figure 2, or to the most extended position extending tangentially from the direction of the main pipe. The graduations on the bolt head II are shown at I8.

Referring specically to Figures 5 and 6 which show a modification of my improved deflector, I9 is the deflector shown in almost closed position in the heavy lines and in extended position on the dotted lines of Figure 5, which arm is journaled on the bolt 2li around which is encircled a coil spring 2I, one end of said spring 22 pressing against the inner top surface of the fitting 2, said spring tending normally to press the deflector arm I9 downward, 23 a set screw having a recess 24, the other end of said screw 25 adapted to press against a protruding portion 26 of the deiiector arm I9 at an angle as indicated in Figure 5, whereby the tension of the spring 22 normally causing said deflector arm I9 to extend downwardly, to be overcome and to hold the same in any desired position. 21 is the packing nut for holding the set screw 23 in place. 29 is a washer and 3i) is the bolt head for adjusting the deflector arm.

The operation of my invention will thus readily appear by an inspection of my drawings, whereby the iitting 2' will be installed as a part of a heating system as shown in Figure 1. The water from the boiler will be passing through pipe I in said figure, flowing in the direction of the arrow there indicated. The bolt head II for adjusting the position of the deiiector arm 'I in Figure 2 will be turned so as to deflect part of the water from the main pipe I upwardly in the direction of the curved arrow into the pipe going to the radiator 3. As shown in Figure 2, While part of the water in the main pipe I will be delected the remaining part, as shown in the lower arrow, will proceed in the original direction in the main pipe. It is obvious that the position of the deflector arm will decrease or increase the amount oi water deiiected, as may be desired. When the desired position of the deflector arm has been ascertained the set screws 9 and I0 of Figure 2, together with the lock I3 will serve as means for holding the deiiector arm in the desired position.

Figures 5 and 6 operate in substantially the same manner except that in the latter two gures the normal tension of the spring will tend to keep the defiector arm in the most extended position and, therefore, tend to shunt the maxi mum amount of water` into the pipe leading into the radiator. The set screw 23 may be forced downwardly, pressing against the projection 26 at the angle indicated in Figure 5 and thus causing the deiiector arm I9 to tend to move in a horizontal position and to such point at which the desired amount of water shunted into the radiator pipe will be determined.

As shown by the modiiications in Figures 5 and 6 it is obvious that variations in structure in my invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I do not limit myself to the inconsequential details of the structure which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus explained and described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A branch fitting adapted to be removably inserted in a heating unit, provided with two opposed openings, each opening adapted to removably receive therein a conduit pipe, a third opening lateral to the said opposed openings, a swinging arm adapted to serve as a closure for said last mentioned opening, said Swinging arm journaled on a shaft and secured thereto by means of a screw, a bolt head on said shaft extending externally of said tting and serving as a means for changing the position of said swinging arm, and having graduations on the external side thereof to indicate the relative position of said swinging arm, and a set screw projecting externally from said iitting and adapted by means of a nut and packing underneath the nut to be pressed against the swinging arm with relatively great frictional pressure, whereby the said arm is locked in any predetermined position against the pressure of the water that may be exerted against it.

FARLEY J. WILKINSON. 

